Dieuseul Berto, (March 24, 1958 – December 29, 2018) was a Haitian-American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. He is the father of professional boxers Andre Berto and James Edson Berto.

Dieuseul Berto
BornDieuseul Berto
(1958-03-24)March 24, 1958
Modle, Haiti
DiedDecember 29, 2018(2018-12-29) (aged 60)
Florida
Other namesTiger
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight200 lb (91 kg; 14 st)
DivisionLightweight
Fighting out ofWinter Haven, Florida, United States
TeamTiger's World of Martial Arts
Years active1996, 2001
Mixed martial arts record
Total3
Wins0
By knockout0
Losses3
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Originally from Modle, Haiti, Berto moved to Florida in 1980. Berto first worked picking fruit and worked in the restaurant industry. Began training in martial arts. He practiced, Shotokan karate and Jeet Kune Do, until he was introduced to the world of professional wrestling, where he was known as ‘The Caribbean Kid.”[1]

Professional wrestling career

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Berto made his professional wrestling debut in 1992 where he worked in Japan for Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi until 1994.[2] His biggest victory was a win over Katsumi Usuda.

On September 10, 1993 Berto wrestled one night for Fighting Network Rings where he lost to Masayuki Naruse.

In 1996, he last wrestled for Battlarts where he would retire from wrestling that year.

Mixed martial arts career

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In 1996, Berto competed only at UFC 10 where he lost to Geza Kalman by knockout.[3]

On November 17, 2001, he returned for one more fight losing to Chris Kaouk.[4]

Personal life

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In 1996, after retiring from fighting, Berto opened a gym called Tigers World of Martial Arts where he taught MMA and fitness. In 1998, he was critically injured in a car crash where he broke many bones confining him to a wheelchair. He eventually was able to walk again.[5]

On December 29, 2018, Berto died at the age of 60 after battling an illness.[1]

In 2021, Berto was inducted into the FL MMA Hall of Fame.[6]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
3 matches 0 wins 3 losses
By knockout 0 1
By submission 0 1
By decision 0 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0-3-0 Chris Kaouk Decision (unanimous) Dixie Rumble November 17, 2001 3 5:00 United States Lightweight debut.
Loss 0-2-0 Geza Kalman TKO (punches) UFC 10 July 12, 1996 1 5:57 Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Loss 0-1-0 Hugo Duarte Submission (kimura) Universal Vale Tudo Fighting April 5, 1996 1 1:28 Japan


References

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  1. ^ a b "Legendary Haitian Kickboxer and Trainer Dieuseul "Tiger" Berto Dies at Age 60 - L'union Suite". January 6, 2019.
  2. ^ . August 31, 2022 https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=10245&page=20. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ "UFC 10 | The Tournament | UFC". www.ufc.com. September 14, 2018.
  4. ^ "DR - Dixie Rumble". Sherdog.
  5. ^ "Celebrating those who have impacted Mixed Martial Arts in Florida".
  6. ^ "Celebrating those who have impacted Mixed Martial Arts in Florida". FL MMA Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
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